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Strangers #0.5
Stranger At The Parsonage
A new parson sets hearts a-flutter when he arrives in the small Shropshire village of Great Maeswood.
Cass Saxby's heart flutters, too, but at twenty-six, with no fortune and a limp from a childhood illness, she has no chance of attracting the attention of handsome Theodore Truman. But a devastating event pushes the thought of romance from her mind—her father, Lord Saxby, is killed in a tragic accident and with no known heir, the family is plunged into disarray. In the midst of her grief, Cass finds consolation from a surprising source. Will tragedy bring her a fairy-tale ending?
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Cass Saxby's heart flutters, too, but at twenty-six, with no fortune and a limp from a childhood illness, she has no chance of attracting the attention of handsome Theodore Truman. But a devastating event pushes the thought of romance from her mind—her father, Lord Saxby, is killed in a tragic accident and with no known heir, the family is plunged into disarray. In the midst of her grief, Cass finds consolation from a surprising source. Will tragedy bring her a fairy-tale ending?
Available to subscribers of the author's newsletter
160 pages, Paperback
First published November 16, 2020
1 person is currently reading
117 people want to read
About the author
Mary Kingswood
64 books487 followersI live in the beautiful Highlands of Scotland with my husband. I like chocolate, whisky, my Kindle, massed pipe bands, long leisurely lunches, chocolate, going places in my campervan, eating pizza in Italy, summer nights that never get dark, wood fires in winter, chocolate, the view from the study window looking out over the Moray Firth and the Black Isle to the mountains beyond. And chocolate. I dislike driving on motorways, cooking, shopping, hospitals.
The lovely lady in my avatar is Archduchess Clementina of Austria (1798-1881), Princess of Salerno, painted around 1839.
NOTE: I read Regency romances as well as write them, and I review them all on my website, or you can find them right here on Goodreads on my real-name account at Pauline M. Ross.
The lovely lady in my avatar is Archduchess Clementina of Austria (1798-1881), Princess of Salerno, painted around 1839.
NOTE: I read Regency romances as well as write them, and I review them all on my website, or you can find them right here on Goodreads on my real-name account at Pauline M. Ross.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
March 10, 2021
Be warned: this is a teaser for the Strangers series. I did not realize this and was expecting the something-is-rotten-in-Denmark undercurrent to be resolved. Nuh-uh (gnashing of teeth). But it did launch me into the series, as intended.
Kingswood aspires to a happy medium between Austen and Heyer and, by George I think she's got it.
Delighted to have found her; I hadn't realized there was a subgenre known as 'serious' regencies. Very glad to hear it, as I am one of those tiresome sticklers for historical accuracy.
Kingswood aspires to a happy medium between Austen and Heyer and, by George I think she's got it.
Delighted to have found her; I hadn't realized there was a subgenre known as 'serious' regencies. Very glad to hear it, as I am one of those tiresome sticklers for historical accuracy.
March 9, 2025
This is a big of a teaser, especially since no one with a C name was introduced for Cass. It sets the stage for the series nicely!
And we have a mention of Leo Audrey, who married Lucy in the Sisters of Woodside series!
And we have a mention of Leo Audrey, who married Lucy in the Sisters of Woodside series!
March 23, 2021
3.5 stars - this is very much a prologue! It is good because it sets up the series... but it is bad because it doesn’t stand alone as a story, IMO. It ends with more questions!!
March 10, 2023
This book does not seem finished.
September 21, 2023
SPOILER
Cassandra Saxby, 26 and a spinster, lives with her family at Maeswood Hall. She believes herself to be penniless, living on the charity of her father, and suffers from a limp and deformed leg due to a childhood illness. When her father and young stepbrother, the only heir, are killed in an accident, it throws the remaining family into financial turmoil. In the midst of this maelstrom, a lawyer comes to read her father's will, and to let her know that she is the recipient of her mother's quite substantial fortune, of which she knew nothing and should have received upon reaching her majority.
Into this picture, the stranger arrives, the handsome, new village vicar, Theodore Truman. He is charming and attentive. She is attracted to him, but believes him beyond her reach. Upon learning of her fortune, he begins to pay more attention to her. In her search to absolve Victor, the mentally-challenged knife sharpener in the area, of any guilt in the death of her father, Cass discovers that Mr. Truman was not the son of his parents, but had been adopted by them as an infant. It is believed that his adoptive mother's sister in Wales is his natural mother. He had no idea and is shocked when Cass reveals it to him. Away he hares to Wales to find out for himself what happened.
A certain Lord Cranston appears at the behest of the trustees of Cassandra's fortune. He informs her that her awful father had told them she was not mentally competent. He stole her inheritance from her all that time. She shows remarkable restraint with her anger about this. I would expect her to go pee on his grave.
The trustees arrive to ascertain for themselves that Cass is of sound mind. Upon learning that she plans to marry Mr. Truman, they inform both of them (as Mr. Truman is present in the room) that they only need to investigate his reputation. I'm very suspicious of this Mr. Truman. He claims to have proven his legitimacy in Wales, but I don't trust him at all. I very much regret having read this prologue novella, since I will have to read six long books now before I found out whether Truman and Cass will marry. (I'm not really sorry.)
Cassandra Saxby, 26 and a spinster, lives with her family at Maeswood Hall. She believes herself to be penniless, living on the charity of her father, and suffers from a limp and deformed leg due to a childhood illness. When her father and young stepbrother, the only heir, are killed in an accident, it throws the remaining family into financial turmoil. In the midst of this maelstrom, a lawyer comes to read her father's will, and to let her know that she is the recipient of her mother's quite substantial fortune, of which she knew nothing and should have received upon reaching her majority.
Into this picture, the stranger arrives, the handsome, new village vicar, Theodore Truman. He is charming and attentive. She is attracted to him, but believes him beyond her reach. Upon learning of her fortune, he begins to pay more attention to her. In her search to absolve Victor, the mentally-challenged knife sharpener in the area, of any guilt in the death of her father, Cass discovers that Mr. Truman was not the son of his parents, but had been adopted by them as an infant. It is believed that his adoptive mother's sister in Wales is his natural mother. He had no idea and is shocked when Cass reveals it to him. Away he hares to Wales to find out for himself what happened.
A certain Lord Cranston appears at the behest of the trustees of Cassandra's fortune. He informs her that her awful father had told them she was not mentally competent. He stole her inheritance from her all that time. She shows remarkable restraint with her anger about this. I would expect her to go pee on his grave.
The trustees arrive to ascertain for themselves that Cass is of sound mind. Upon learning that she plans to marry Mr. Truman, they inform both of them (as Mr. Truman is present in the room) that they only need to investigate his reputation. I'm very suspicious of this Mr. Truman. He claims to have proven his legitimacy in Wales, but I don't trust him at all. I very much regret having read this prologue novella, since I will have to read six long books now before I found out whether Truman and Cass will marry. (I'm not really sorry.)
December 11, 2020
Welp, I'm hooked. Now I have an agonizing wait of 3 more days before I can get my hands on Stranger At the Dower House and continue reading. I loved the way the Silver Linings series was structured, and this new Strangers series seems to be following that same architecture. which suits me just fine. Looking forward to the development and resolution of several mysteries, the seeds of which were planted in this short prologue. I really like Cass; she's warm and funny, and caring. Theodore is, I suspect, a many-layered character who we are going to learn a lot more about as the series goes along. I was also glad to see a few familiar characters -- one of the Willerton-Forbes and Ferdy Makenham (Lord Craston) among others. I really enjoy the careful plotting and the witty dialog and the way certain characters are depicted as just hilariously awful. Can't wait to read the next one!
November 18, 2020
Interesting New Series!
This is the introductory novella to the new series, Strangers and in it the story of Cass and the new Parson, Theodore, is told.
It is a very sweet and quick read and had an interesting and unexpected revelation about inheritances.
Theodore seems to be a kind and caring man and he courted Cass, who was still in mourning for her father, in his own quiet way.
My only upset was that I felt this story ended too abruptly, but that is my own opinion and may not be that of others.
This is the introductory novella to the new series, Strangers and in it the story of Cass and the new Parson, Theodore, is told.
It is a very sweet and quick read and had an interesting and unexpected revelation about inheritances.
Theodore seems to be a kind and caring man and he courted Cass, who was still in mourning for her father, in his own quiet way.
My only upset was that I felt this story ended too abruptly, but that is my own opinion and may not be that of others.
April 1, 2021
Loved this introduction to the Saxby's as I did not understand the references to the relationship with the clergyman as referenced in the first two novels. Cass is a lovely character...her family , but for Agnes, not so much!
March 18, 2024
3.5. Very much a prequel. No tied up strings. Interesting characters though. Not sure if some of the “iffy” situations are done or if they’ll keep looking into them- Miles saying Victor killed his dad and why miles himself ended up dying, Mr. Truman seeming fishy about whether he’s actually after the inheritance or not, and why on earth the curricle crashed.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 21, 2020
This sets up the series well. It ended abruptly though.
November 27, 2020
A wonderful introduction to the series. I can't wait to read all the following books.
December 1, 2020
Looking forward to another good series!
January 28, 2021
An enjoyable beginning to the series, and intriguing enough to make me want to read the next installment to find out what happens next!
March 8, 2021
It left me unsettled. It is clearly a lead into the series. So far, I am not sold on any of the characters. Reading the next book will let me know.
May 5, 2021
You just get hooked to the series!!
May 8, 2022
This story was sad not only because of the death of the father and son, but the treatment of Cass. I was angry for her.
November 20, 2024
Great storyline! A little fast-paced, but it has to be for how small it is. A good-feeling read. 💚
January 10, 2025
Read this prequel last year, knowing everything that happens later on. Gah! I give the low stars not for the writing which was excellent, but for another reason.
August 13, 2025
I didn't get this story until I had finished the series. I would have liked to have seen it and read it in the beginning.
March 21, 2022
My original review follows, but as I get into the series, I realize I was set up!!
I know it is a prequel and meant to set up the 6-book series, and it accomplished this task. However, there were a few irritating aspects, primarily how the Parson so easily changed his affections based on who had a dowry, but in the end he was so noble as to not be interested in his future bride’s inheritance. What?? Again—a prequel is a very short story meant to introduce the scene, so perhaps the true nature of these characters will be expanded upon throughout the series. That is still no excuse for a poorly developed story, no matter how short it is.
I know it is a prequel and meant to set up the 6-book series, and it accomplished this task. However, there were a few irritating aspects, primarily how the Parson so easily changed his affections based on who had a dowry, but in the end he was so noble as to not be interested in his future bride’s inheritance. What?? Again—a prequel is a very short story meant to introduce the scene, so perhaps the true nature of these characters will be expanded upon throughout the series. That is still no excuse for a poorly developed story, no matter how short it is.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews